IM Trends & Product Watch: Yahoo Melds Mail and IM

November 14, 2006
By Vangie Beal

Clients & Platforms

This week Yahoo has said it plans to integrate Yahoo Messaging into its Yahoo mail service, which is similar to the approach Google is taking with its IM and e-mail services. With Yahoo messaging embedded in its e-mail, users will be able to e-mail contacts and, if they are online, send an IM through the browser being used for e-mail, rather than launching a separate IM client. The announcement was made during the Web2.0 summit where Yahoo said the embedded IM feature will be rolled out to Yahoo Mail users in the next couple of months, to be followed by the capability to chat with Microsoft's Windows Live Messenger users as well.

Yahoo Messenger and Linksys announced the Linksys Dual-Mode Cordless Phone for Yahoo Messenger with Voice (CIT310). The dual-mode cordless phone provides Yahoo Messenger users with an alternative option to make free Internet-based calls to people their Yahoo Messenger Contact List. Subscribers of Yahoo Phone service can also use the cordless phone to make an Internet-based call to any traditional or mobile phone at low rates. The Linksys Dual-Mode Cordless Phone has a USB base station, which is designed to allow users to wander away from their computer while on a call. The new phone also provides instant access to Yahoo Local Search and a button to allow users to switch between VoIP and a traditional landline phone service. The Linksys Dual-Mode Cordless Phone for Yahoo Messenger with Voice (CIT310) is available at a suggested retail price of $99.99.

Google has updated Google Talk recently with new features including the addition of "offline messages." In order to to receive offline messages your Google Talk account needs to have a Gmail inbox with chat history enabled. With this new feature, when you send a Google Talk message to an offline contact, the offline messages will be displayed as unread messages in their Gmail inbox.

The Miranda team updated its Miranda IM Web site to indicate that Version 0.6 (RC1) is expected to be released in the coming week. Changes in this version include complete memory handling routines, threading, utf8 encoding and decoding support, tabbed options, uPNP support, and NAT-aware netlib engine with some important fixes.
Web-based IM
Meebo Inc., a provider of Web-based Instant Messaging announced its product, meebo, has moved from alpha testing to full release Version 1.0. Using Ajax technology, meebo requires no software downloads or installation to provide Web-based instant messaging services that allows users to access all of their IM buddies from any computer with a Web browser. Version 1.0 of meebo has been launched with a new interface design, skinning to change the visual layout, easy to use chat logs, Buddylist management, account management, and options for users of the AIM network to set their profile information via meebo.

Userplane rolled out Userplane Presence, a private-label notification and instant messaging tool. Userplane Presence enables users to see who is online, receive site notifications, and message each other — even when they're not logged in to their favorite communities — Web sites with Userplane Presence can offer members a simple desktop download. Once installed, Userplane Presence shows the member as constantly available within that community and sends real-time alerts whenever new events occur. 

Mobile IM

CellSigns a provider of interactive mobile applications, announced a new product line aimed at small and mid-sized companies. The new Mobile Enterprise Application product suite includes Mobile Connect, a click-to-text mobile notification system, IM Connect, a click-to-chat application, and a private-label mobile search application. The new IM Connect application allows a Web site visitor to instantly start a chat with a representative or sales professional. The representative is able to chat using their instant messenger or their cell phone via text messaging. IM Connect's click-to-chat application is compatible with instant messaging services: Yahoo IM, AOL IM, MSN Messenger, Google Talk, and according to the company, over 97 percent of all cell phones.

IM Security & Research

McAfee, Inc. has announced of McAfee SiteAdvisor Plus, a Web safety tool that helps protect computers from unsafe Web sites encountered when using browsers, search engines, instant messaging and e-mail. McAfee SiteAdvisor Plus supports a broad range of instant messaging and e- mail platforms including Yahoo Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, Google Talk, Outlook, Outlook Express, Gmail, Yahoo Mail and Microsoft Live Mail (Hotmail) and Gmail. Support for AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and AOL Mail is under development. McAfee SiteAdvisor Plus can be used in conjunction with existing McAfee products, with nonMcAfee security products, or as a stand-alone solution. The product is priced at $24.99 for a single computer license and $49.99 for a 3-computer family pack.

FaceTime and WebEx have developed a hosted instant messaging module to provide security, hygiene and auditing of content shared via the recently announced WebEx Connect. The WebEx Advanced Auditor Powered by FaceTime will offer recording, archival, auditing, and protection against malware, worms, viruses, spyware and SpIM for all instant messaging conversations and file transfers conducted over WebEx Connect. WebEx Advanced Auditor Powered by FaceTime is based on FaceTime's IMAuditor software.

Source: http://www.instantmessagingplanet.com/enterprise/article.php/3643711